I've got a super easy Ice Cream Activity for Toddlers that is perfect for summer.
It's an activity that you can do in 5 minutes with no almost no prep, and it provides sensory play as well.
Ice Cream Sprinkle Sensory Activity!
Ice Cream Sprinkle Sensory Activity!This one is super simple and fun to do because toddlers get to be creative and get their hands messy.
All you need for this activity is:
- Paper to print the free printable (or construction paper to draw your own)
- Markers or crayons
- White glue (or read below for a taste-safe option)
- Paint brush (or cotton ball or q-tip)
- Sprinkles (or dry rice, glitter, colorful sand, or anything else that sticks to glue)
It's pretty self explanatory, and I have detailed instructions below, but basically you will either draw ice cream cones on paper (or print them here!), color them in, add some glue and sprinkles.
More summer-themed activities to try: 20 Rainbow Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Make the most of each activity
I like to make the most of every printable I download by finding lots of different ways to use each page.
For example, if you decide to print the ice cream cones (get the printable here or click on the image below), start by having your child try to trace the ice cream cones.
Then talk about about the numbers 1, 2, 3 (if your kiddo is not too advanced for that).
Then color the ice cream in.
Then start with the glue and sensory & sticky part of the activity.
As you can see below, we didn't get very far with the coloring... but that's exactly why my son needs the practice!
Taste-safe option
If you think your child will start trying to eat the sprinkles that are covered in glue, you can either try to use something non-edible, like dry rice, quinoa, craft sand, or glitter....
OR
Use whipped cream in place of the glue! Use a paint brush to brush the ice cream with whipped cream, then add sprinkles to the whipped cream.
It won't stick as well as glue, obviously, but it will get the job done and you don't have to worry about your child "accidentally" putting sprinkles in their mouth with sticky hands.
Looking for other easy sensory activities?
- 52 Weeks of Sensory
- Candle jar craft
- Sponge painting
- Printable sensory crafts
- Mashed potato nuggets (yes, cooking together is a great sensory activity!)
Looking for other fun toddler activities?
Ice Cream Activity for Toddlers
An easy Ice Cream Activity for Toddlers that is perfect for summer. It's an activity that you can do in 5 minutes with no almost no prep, and it provides sensory play as well.
Materials
- Paper (or construction paper) - see notes for a printable
- Marker or crayon
- Glue (see notes for taste-safe option)
- Colorful sprinkles (see notes for other options)
Tools
- Paint brush, cotton ball, or q-tip
Instructions
- Print the ice cream printable, or draw ice cream cones on a piece of paper.
- Have your child color in the ice cream cone.
- Ask your child to add glue to the ice cream and use a brush, cotton ball, or q-tip to spread it around.
- Add sprinkles to the glue and have your child use his or her fingers to stick the sprinkles to the glue.
- Allow to dry, shake off the excess sprinkles into the trash, and hang up on the fridge proudly.
- Enjoy some real ice cream or frozen yogurt together... with sprinkles, of course!
Notes
- Click here to download the ice cream printable.
- For a taste-safe activity, use whipped cream instead of glue. The end result won't be as sticky and you won't be able to hang up the craft, but it will be safe!
- If you don't have sprinkles, you can use dry rice, dry quinoa, glitter, colorful sand, or anything else small that will stick to the glue.